Cabin rentals near Rockland, Maine range from waterfront options to wooded retreats within a 20-minute drive of downtown. Most facilities operate from May through mid-October, though some extend their season to Columbus Day weekend. Winter cabin options are extremely limited with only specialized rental properties available during the off-season.
What to do
Ocean activities at Pemaquid Lake: Lake Pemaquid Campground provides convenient water access for kayaking and canoeing. "They rent kayaks and canoes to explore the lake. There are several playgrounds for the kids and even a small arcade for rainy days," notes Tara N.
Hiking near Camden: The trails surrounding Megunticook Campground offer excellent coastal views and forest paths. "There are quite a few hiking trails located in the town around the campground," mentions Becky T., highlighting the proximity to recreational opportunities.
Arts and music events: Searsport Shores Ocean Campground hosts regular artistic gatherings. "This place is so much more than a beautiful campground nestled among gorgeous old growth trees located right on the shore. It's also a treasure trove of arts of all kinds - fiber arts, metal sculptures, carvings, paintings, and music," shares Kathy L., who enjoyed a small festival during her stay.
What campers like
Oceanfront cabin locations: Waterfront cabins offer exceptional coastal settings. "The sites were clean and the owners very friendly and helpful. The ocean view was beautiful! Picnic tables and several chairs and benches to sit and watch the ocean scenery - porpoises and seals and the sunrise was amazing," reports Cheryl R. about her visit to Megunticook Campground.
Cedar outdoor showers: Meguniticook by the Sea Campground features unique shower facilities that campers frequently mention. "They have great showers with hot water! And free coffee in the office at 8," notes Mona S., who also appreciated the "small but beautifully wooded sites."
Lakeside amenities: Many cabin locations offer both waterfront views and swimming facilities. "The sites are a decent size and the campground is fairly quiet. Privacy between sites is lacking here - there are some sites that have a little bit of privacy between neighboring sites, and some have none at all," shares Ashlee L., describing the overall setting.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Cabins near Rockland require advance booking, especially on weekends. "Stayed for Memorial weekend. Stay was friendly and the local sites were plentiful," mentions Lacey about Lobster Buoy Campsites, though availability is limited.
Price variations: Cabin costs fluctuate significantly by location and amenities. "Online the prices was 40$ for a tent site. We didn't need water or electric just a spot to sleep for the night. I called to reserve cause the website wasn't very easy to work with and the man on the phone said 76$ but couldn't explain costs," reports Aly E. about one campground.
Hidden fees: Some locations charge additional fees beyond the base rate. One camper at Megunticook Campground noted, "I thought $50 for a tent site was a little steep but it was all the potential extra fees that irked me," listing charges like a $30 site lock fee, $4 weather guarantee, $7.95 WiFi fee, and $10 dump station fee.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Sennebec Lake Campground offers structured activities for children. "Activities started up again this year, with events such as kids' crafts, a kids vs adults water gun fight, cornhole competition, and a DJ for an evening of dancing - just on the weekend we were there," shares Pam A., who visited with two children.
Site selection for groups: Larger cabin units accommodate families better than tent platforms. "The campsites start level with the main road and then tier downwards towards the water. Campsites on the southside have less trees while campsites in the north are a little more rocky," explains Erin S. about the layout at one oceanfront location.
Swimming options: Lake locations provide safer swimming for small children than coastal sites. "We loved the proximity to the lake with easy access for kayaking and swimming. New ownership this year resulted in some updates, as well as the addition of glamping tents near the beach," adds Pam A. about her experience at Sennebec Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many cabin and RV sites near Rockland require additional leveling. "Sennebec Lake Campground provided a blend of relaxation and adventure for the kiddos and the campground's commitment to modern conveniences is evident. We have a 35ft RV, and we faced no issues getting in and out of the property and the sites across the water were level, with no extra leveling needed," Jason G. mentions.
Road noise considerations: Duck Puddle Campground provides waterfront sites away from highway noise. "We enjoyed our stay at Duck Puddle Campground. The site we had was on the water and had great views. It was surrounded by trees and had decent spacing between neighbors," shares Rachel S., contrasting with some other locations closer to main roads.
Seasonal facilities: Most cabin campgrounds limit hours for certain amenities during shoulder seasons. "We were able to get the site I reserved without paying this fee. The shuttle bus takes 50 minutes to get to Bar Harbor, by car it's closer to 30. Showers were ~2 miles away, open 4-7 pm and $1.50 for 2 minutes of water," explains one camper about seasonal limitations.
